Today, fashion collections are released at an increasingly rapid pace, while textile production is moving further and further away. As a result, we consume clothes without really knowing where they come from, how they are made, or what they actually contain.
Behind wrinkle-free, shiny, colorful, and easy-care garments, there are often chemicals in clothing. These processes help reduce costs and speed up production, but they also have a real impact — on both our health and the environment.
Textile production: a major environmental impact
The use of toxic substances remains widespread in the fashion industry and contributes significantly to the environmental impact of the textile industry.
From the very first stage — fiber cultivation or raw material production — pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms are used to increase yields.
This intensive model leads to:
- soil depletion
- dependency on chemical inputs
- ecosystem degradation
- water pollution
Over time, soils lose their natural fertility, requiring more and more chemicals to maintain productivity. A vicious cycle that contributes to what is sometimes called “soil degradation” or even “soil death.”
👉 To better understand these issues, read our article on how to reduce the environmental impact of clothing.
Chemicals in clothing: what’s really inside?
Toxic clothing is not only about fiber production. Many chemical substances are also used during textile processing:
- dyes
- wrinkle-resistant treatments
- stain-resistant finishes
- water-repellent treatments
- anti-mold agents
Many of these processes take place in countries where regulations are less strict. Substances banned in Europe may still be used elsewhere, with direct consequences for local populations and ecosystems.
Today, the textile industry is considered one of the most polluting industries worldwide. According to Greenpeace, in its report “Toxic Threads: The Big Fashion Stitch-Up”, nearly two-thirds of garments may contain harmful chemicals.
These treatments allow garments to be more practical — wrinkle-free, softer, more colorful — but they rely on chemical processes that are often invisible to consumers.
The most common harmful substances
Among the most frequently used chemicals in clothing:
- Formaldehyde: used to make garments wrinkle-free and to fix dyes. It is known to be irritating and carcinogenic.
- Phthalates: often found in printed designs, they soften textiles but are endocrine disruptors.
- Azo dyes: used for bright or fluorescent colors, some are toxic and banned in Europe but still used elsewhere.
- Heavy metals (lead, nickel, cadmium): present in certain dyes, they can be harmful through prolonged skin contact.
- Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs): used for their detergent properties and “easy-care” effect, they persist in the environment and are toxic to aquatic life.
These chemical substances in clothing remain in direct contact with our skin. With heat, friction, and perspiration, they can transfer into the body.
Some of these substances decrease after washing, but they then end up in wastewater, contributing to textile pollution. Others remain throughout the entire life cycle of the garment.
Invisible pollution: impact across the entire chain
With every wash, part of the chemicals present in clothing is released into wastewater.
These pollutants are not always fully filtered and end up in rivers and oceans. They contaminate ecosystems and move up the food chain.
This adds to the problem of microfibers from synthetic clothing, which also contribute to water pollution.
Learn more in our article on synthetic fibers and their environmental impact.
Daily exposure to toxic textiles
The issue is not only the presence of these substances, but also the frequency of exposure.
We wear our clothes every day, often directly on our skin. Consumers, textile workers, and communities living near production sites are all continuously exposed.
In many production countries, environmental and social regulations remain insufficient, increasing health risks.
How to reduce exposure to toxic clothing
Without changing everything overnight, a few simple habits can help:
- choose natural or certified materials
- avoid very bright or fluorescent colors
- limit plastic-based prints
- wash new clothes before wearing
- support transparent brands
Towards more conscious fashion
Not all clothing is necessarily toxic, but understanding what lies behind their production helps us make better choices.
In a context of textile pollution and overconsumption, choosing better materials, more transparent processes, and long-lasting garments is a first step.
Becoming informed and adjusting our habits allows us to move toward more sustainable fashion — without guilt, but with greater awareness.
